SPORTS
5 Amazing Benefits Of Swimming You Never Knew
Published
6 years agoon
By
Uche Solomon
Swimming has been termed the perfect exercise. Swimming is an excellent way to work your entire body and cardiovascular system. An hour of swimming burns almost as many calories as running, without all the impact on your bones and joints.
Unlike other fitness regimes, swimming engages every muscle group and energy system. Water is 800 times denser than air, and that added resistance allows for an awesome total body workout.
Although the benefits of swimming are many, here are a few of them.
Swimming improves muscle definition and strength
Swimmers gain muscle strength throughout the entire body. Where runners see muscle build in their legs, swimmers utilize more muscle groups to move through the water. While the legs kick, the arms pull. As the back reaches and rotates, the stomach tightens to power the legs and stabilize the core, making swimming one of the best aerobic exercises to give you a total body workout
It Improves your ability to stay calm
Swimming is meditative. Swimming boosts endorphins that increase feelings of well being. Plus the rhythmic strokes and sound of water make swimming much more relaxing. It’s been shown that swimming produces the same relaxation responses as yoga, and the stretching and contracting of muscles can heighten this experience.
It can make you smarter
Your brain loves swimming. The extra blood and oxygen helps you become more alert, awake, and focused. It releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones in our body. Swimming requires your mind to make neural muscular adjustments to imbalances created from continuous movement through the water. As a result swimming improves dynamic balance and coordination, reflexes, bone density and muscular endurance.
Swimming lowers stress and depression
Swimming stretches your body constantly. Combine this with the deep rhythmic breathing, and you can experience a relaxation rush that’s very unique to the exercise.
Swimming is also calming and meditative, as the sound of your breathing and the water rushing by helps you focus inward and drown out all other distractions. This lowers stress and depression naturally.
Research also shows that swimming can reverse damage to the brain from stress through a process called hippocampal neurogenesis.
It improves breathing efficiently
In addition to improved heart health and stamina, swimming also improves how efficiently you breathe. This becomes very beneficial when doing other activities because you won’t run out of breath easily.
SPORTS
John McEnroe Says He Can Be The Commissioner Tennis Needs Amid Doping Crisis
Published
1 month agoon
January 8, 2025By
Reporter
Recent doping controversies involving top players have not damaged tennis’s reputation, but John McEnroe believes that appointing a single commissioner for the sport would significantly enhance the clarity and transparency surrounding doping cases.
Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner failed two drug tests in March for trace amounts of the anabolic androgenic steroid clostebol, but an independent tribunal cleared him of any wrongdoing by accepting his explanation of unintentional contamination.
Women’s world number two Iga Swiatek accepted a one-month ban in November after testing positive for the hormone and metabolic modulator trimetazidine, which she attributed to contamination of her sleep medication.
The ITIA, responsible for managing tennis’s anti-doping program, stated that both cases involved “inadvertent breaches of the rules.”
“I don’t think it has done any damage because if you look, it’s way worse in the other sports,”McEnroe, a former world number one turned ESPN broadcaster, told reporters ahead of the Australian Open.
“In my opinion, tennis is cleaner than any other sport. Now that doesn’t mean there are not issues.”
John McEnroe emphasised that the confusion surrounding the timing of information release significantly exacerbates the situation.
The confusion is such as the delayed public disclosure of Sinner’s positive test at the Indian Wells tournament in March until just before the US Open in August.
“That part I really don’t like,”he said.
Rennae Stubbs, a former player, current coach, and ESPN commentator, stated that players undergo frequent testing.
She further emphasised that a commissioner could play a vital role in enhancing transparency when a positive test occurs, particularly when a player’s reputation is at stake.
“We need a commissioner of tennis that actually gets out there and speaks on behalf of players to defend or not defend them,” she said.
“The bottom line is we have no one talking for them.”
McEnroe revealed that he has long advocated for the appointment of a commissioner and expressed his readiness and willingness to assume this role.
“If I wasn’t the commissioner, there still should be a commissioner,” he said.
“It doesn’t look like it’s ever going to happen because people are too busy, these tournaments protect their own interests. They care about themselves, they don’t care enough about the sport.
“So it’s too bad. But nonetheless, if it’s not me, it should be someone else. We’ll see if it happens in the next 10 years.”
Check out more sports updates here.
SPORTS
Taiwo Awoniyi’s First Goal Of The Season Seals Nottingham Forest’s Win Over Wolves
Published
1 month agoon
January 8, 2025By
Reporter
Taiwo Awoniyi made a triumphant return to Premier League action. He scored in stoppage time to help Nottingham Forest crush Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 on Monday evening.
The Super Eagles striker completed his dramatic comeback from injury, finding the net for the first time in the 2024/25 season, precisely 324 days after a devastating setback had forced him to watch from the sidelines.
Forest manager Steve Cooper introduced Awoniyi in the 88th minute, and the Nigerian international seized his opportunity with both hands.
Morgan Gibbs-White orchestrated the decisive moment, threading a precise pass through Wolves’ defensive line.
Awoniyi, demonstrating his predatory instincts, latched onto the ball and dispatched it into the net with clinical precision, sending the City Ground into rapturous celebration.
The emotional weight of the moment overwhelmed Taiwo Awoniyi as he sank to his knees after scoring.
He reached for his shin pads, which carried a deeply personal message – the Bible verse James 1:17.
The passage reads, “Every good and perfect gift is from above,” and pressed them against his face in a poignant display of gratitude and relief.
This victory carried significant implications for Nottingham Forest’s remarkable 2024/25 campaign. The team has now strung together an impressive sequence of six consecutive Premier League victories.
This cemented their position in third place on the table. Forest’s 40-point tally matches Arsenal’s in second position. Meanwhile, Liverpool maintains a six-point advantage at the summit with a game still in hand.
Awoniyi’s goal served as the perfect exclamation point on Forest’s commanding performance, underlining their transformation into genuine title contenders.
The striker’s emotional celebration resonated throughout the stadium. Furthermore, it marks not just a personal milestone in his recovery journey but also symbolises Forest’s remarkable ascent into English football’s top flight.
Don’t miss the inspiring photos of his celebration! Watch the goal video below.
Check here for more sports updates.
SPORTS
NBA Roundup: Giannis Triple-Double Leads Milwaukee Bucks To Win Over Toronto Raptors
Published
1 month agoon
January 7, 2025By
Reporter
Giannis Antetokounmpo (30) recorded his fourth triple-double of the season, contributing 11 points, 12 rebounds, and a season-high 13 assists.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard (34) scored 25 points, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a decisive 128-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.
Antetokounmpo’s exceptional passing, including 10 assists in the first half alone, ignited the Bucks’ offence and propelled them to victory, snapping a two-game losing streak.
The Bucks had recently faced a challenging period, losing four of their last five games, all against teams with losing records.
However, they convincingly overcame the struggling 8-28 Raptors, despite the absence of Khris Middleton due to an ankle injury.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised Antetokounmpo’s playmaking abilities, stating, “Giannis’ passing set the whole tone for our team.”
“When your best player does that, it becomes contagious and the ball just moved,” Rivers said.
Bloody good passing from Giannis.
13 AST | 12 REB | 11 PTS pic.twitter.com/6LGIFIIK6h
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 7, 2025
The only downside for the Bucks was a cut Antetokounmpo suffered on his right little finger when he hit the rim on a block attempt late in the first half.
Rivers said it required stitches to stop the bleeding, but Antetokounmpo wanted to stay in a game in which he and Lillard were both able to rest the entire fourth quarter anyway.
Zach LaVine led the Chicago Bulls to a thrilling 114-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Chicago, scoring 35 points while also contributing 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The Bulls staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 19-point deficit in the third quarter.
Coby White played a crucial role in the victory, scoring 23 points. He drove for a go-ahead layup and followed it up with a powerful dunk, giving the Bulls a 113-110 lead with 15.9 seconds remaining. LaVine then sealed the win with a free throw.
The Bulls successfully countered another impressive performance from San Antonio’s star rookie, Victor Wembanyama. He recorded 23 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and an astonishing eight blocked shots.
DRIVE HOME SAFELY. BULLS WIN. pic.twitter.com/KSEoyyzCVs
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 7, 2025
In Detroit, Cade Cunningham orchestrated a remarkable comeback for the Pistons.
They scored 32 points and dished out nine assists as they overcame an early 22-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-115.
Tim Hardaway Jr. ignited the Pistons’ fourth-quarter surge, scoring 11 of his 26 points during the final period. He drained back-to-back three-pointers, giving the Pistons a 109-106 lead with less than three minutes remaining.
The Trail Blazers mounted a late challenge, twice narrowing the deficit to just one point. Anfernee Simons’ three-pointer with 12 seconds left brought the score to 117-115.
However, Malik Beasley sealed the Pistons’ fourth consecutive win by making one of two free throws and securing a crucial steal.
Sealed the dub the Detroit way
pic.twitter.com/kGkHkHX1o5
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 7, 2025
The Phoenix Suns snapped a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia.
Coach Mike Budenholzer’s decision to shake up the starting lineup by moving Bradley Beal to the bench proved successful. Beal ignited the Suns’ offence, scoring 25 points, with 20 of those coming in the second half.
The Suns trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter and entered halftime with a four-point deficit. However, their bench outscored the 76ers’ reserves by a significant margin, 54-7.
Good night, Suns fans!
pic.twitter.com/U1TBskDLYf
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 7, 2025
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 points and 10 assists. And Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds. The 76ers were without Joel Embiid and Kyle Lowry due to injuries.
In New York, the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic upset the struggling Knicks 103-94.
Cole Anthony led the Magic with 24 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. provided a significant spark off the bench, scoring 19 points. The Magic remain without their top four scorers: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Moritz Wagner.
Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each scored 24 points for the Knicks. The Knicks suffered their third consecutive loss after a nine-game winning streak.
In Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. dominated. He scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to a 119-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks, missing key players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, dropped their fifth straight game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves snapped their three-game losing streak with a thrilling 108-106 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Anthony Edwards fuelled the comeback, scoring 37 points for the Timberwolves.
For more sports updates, check here.
Latest


Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Sets The Standard Of AI Phones As A True AI Companion
Samsung Galaxy S25 series sets the standard of AI phones as a true AI companion …Pioneering the multimodal era with...


5 Things To Expect In Afrobeats In 2025
Afrobeats is poised to reach unprecedented heights in 2025 as Nigerian music continues its remarkable global ascent. The genre’s explosive...


Here Are The 7 Most Ancient Countries On Earth
The oldest countries in the world stand as remarkable testaments to human civilisation, each containing landscapes and monuments that narrate...


Why Self-Reflection Is More Important Than Resolutions
Millions of people embark on a yearly ritual: they sit down with a notebook and pen, eager to craft a...


Nollywood Director, Kemi Adetiba Teases King Of Boys 3
Nollywood director Kemi Adetiba has revealed that another instalment of King of Boys will be released on December 25, 2025....


John McEnroe Says He Can Be The Commissioner Tennis Needs Amid Doping Crisis
Recent doping controversies involving top players have not damaged tennis’s reputation, but John McEnroe believes that appointing a single commissioner...


“Everybody Loves Jenifa” Becomes Nollywood’s Highest-Grossing Film Of All Time
Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele has achieved a historic milestone with her latest film, “Everybody Loves Jenifa.” The film has officially...


FG To Premiere TV Series, “Hidden Riches” On Mining Sector On January 25
Nigeria’s Federal Government will launch an ambitious television drama series focused on the nation’s mining sector, premiering “Hidden Riches” on...


Qing Madi Delivers A Soulful Performance Of “Favourite Pyscho”
Rising Afro-RnB sensation Qing Madi launches into 2025 with a mesmerising performance on the prestigious COLOURS platform, showcasing her latest...


Taiwo Awoniyi’s First Goal Of The Season Seals Nottingham Forest’s Win Over Wolves
Taiwo Awoniyi made a triumphant return to Premier League action. He scored in stoppage time to help Nottingham Forest crush...
-Ad-


